21 Job Interview Tips: Making a Great First Impression
Best wishes for your upcoming job interview! It’s time to get ready, and we’ll help you. This article offers an overview of how to succeed in an interview as well as a detailed study of each point. Making a Great First Impression
Before the interview,
In the days preceding up to your job interview, set aside time to do the following:
1. Conduct background research on the company and interviewers.
Understanding key information about the company you’re interviewing with will help you feel more confident throughout the interview. Using the company’s website, social media posts, and current press releases will help you understand the company’s goals and how your background qualifies you for the role.
2. Practice answering typical interview questions.
Prepare your answer to the often asked question, “Tell me about yourself and why you want to work for our organization.” Your elevator pitch should quickly convey who you are and what value you will bring to the organization and role. Examine how we respond to the Most Common Interview Questions.
Prepare to discuss your compensation expectations. If you’re unsure how much to ask for, use Indeed’s Salary Calculator to receive a free, customised salary range based on your region, industry, and experience.
3. Review the job description once more.
You should print it out and begin underlining specific skills that the employer is looking for. Consider prior and current work examples that correspond to these standards.
4. When answering questions, follow the STAR method.
Prepare to be questioned about previous instances when you used a specific skill, and use the STAR approach to tell stories with a clear Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
5. Get a friend to assist you practice answering questions.
It is a great idea to practice your responses aloud. Say them to yourself, or ask a friend to help you go over the questions and answers. As you practice saying the words, you’ll gain confidence.
6.Make a list of references.
Your interviewers may seek a list of references before or after your interview. Having a reference list available ahead of time can help you complete this stage swiftly and move on in the hiring process.
7. Prepare examples of your work.
You will almost definitely be asked about specific work you’ve done related to the role during the interview. Consider previous jobs, groups, or volunteer activities where you exhibited experience and competence doing the needed duties after reviewing the job description.
8. Prepare thoughtful interview questions.
Interviews are a two-way street. Employers expect you to ask questions because they want to know you’re serious about working for them. Here are some questions you could ask your interviewers:
- Can you outline some of the duties of this employment on a daily basis?
- How would you describe someone who would be successful in this position?
- If I were in this job, how would my performance be evaluated? What is the frequency?
- What departments does this team regularly cooperate with?
- How do these departments typically collaborate?
- What exactly is that procedure?
- What are your present difficulties in your position?
- The date of the interview
Use the following tactics to be productive on interview day after you’ve spent time preparing:
9. Get your interview clothing ready the night before.
If you contact a recruiter ahead of time, you can inquire about the workplace dress code and prepare your outfit accordingly. If you don’t have somebody to ask, conduct some research on the company to determine what’s appropriate.
10. Bring a notebook and a pen, as well as copies of your résumé.
Bring at least five copies of your printed résumé on clean paper if there are multiple interviewees. Highlight specific successes on your content that you can immediately refer to and discuss. You should bring a pen and a small notebook with you. Take notes, but don’t use your smartphone or other technological device to do so. Make a note of the specifics so you can refer to them in subsequent thank-you notes. Make as much eye contact as you can.
11. Schedule your day in such a way that you arrive 10-15 minutes early.
Make a plan to get to the interview location on time. Consider performing a trial run. If you intend to use public transportation, plan ahead of time in case of delays or closures.
If you come early, spend the extra time to research workplace dynamics.
12. Make a great first impression
Remember to shine your shoes, trim your nails, and check your clothes for holes, stains, pet hair, and loose threads. Don’t forget to smile.
13. Be courteous to everyone you meet.
This includes drivers and parking lot attendants, as well as security and front-desk staff. Everyone you don’t know should be regarded as if they were the hiring manager. Even if they aren’t, your prospective employer may ask for their opinion.
14. Display appropriate manners and body language.
Use confident, friendly body language from the moment you step into the building. Before the interview, take a deep breath and exhale slowly to lessen nervousness and improve self-confidence. Maintain eye contact and a welcoming grin.
15 Genuineness and optimism will win them over.
Being genuine during interview encounters may help employers connect with you more easily. You may assist keep the interview light and beneficial by smiling and maintaining a cheerful attitude.
16. Answer the questions truthfully.
While it may be easy to inflate your abilities and accomplishments, interviewers find candor refreshing and inspiring. Concentrate on your main characteristics and why your background fits you for the post.
17. Link your responses to your strengths and accomplishments.
You must tie your experience to the role with each question you answer by providing examples of solutions and outcomes you’ve generated. Use every opportunity to address the requirements of the job description.
18. Be concise and to the point in your comments.
Avoid rambling because your time with each interviewer is limited. Preparing your responses in advance can help you stay focused.
19. Do not disparage previous employers.
Businesses look for problem solvers who can overcome hardship. If you’re unhappy at your current employment, discuss what you’ve learnt and what you want to do next.
After the interview
After the interview, do the following to boost your chances of advancement:
20. Ask about the next steps.
Following your interview, you should inquire with your interviewer, hiring manager, or recruiter about the following steps. This will almost certainly be a follow-up email with interview results and any further needs, such as an assignment, a reference list, or another interview.
21. Send a thank you letter after the interview.
Request the business cards of everyone you meet with during the interview process so you may thank them individually. If you interviewed in the morning, send your follow-up emails the same day. You can interview the following morning if you interviewed in the afternoon. Make use of the notes you took during the conversations to ensure that each email stands out from the others.
